Most people are familiar
with medical identification bracelets, bracelets intended to alert paramedics
and other medical personnel of medical conditions that need to be taken into
consideration in case of an emergency involving the bracelet wearer. A bracelet
can literally save a life. The July 2011 issue of Ladies’ Home Journal explains: “Paramedics are trained to look for
medical-alert jewelry, and the wrist is the first place they check while taking
a pulse, says Jennifer Frenette, board member for the National Association of
Emergency Medical Technicians.”
Medical ID bracelets can be
stylish, too.
The feature in Ladies’ Home Journal illustrates this
point, showing seven bracelets of a variety of styles that deliver the critical
message to medical personnel. The bracelets pictured are (1) white leather from
hopepaige.com, (2) beaded from laurenshope.com, (3) thin rubber from
hopepaige.com, (4) Swarovski pearl from beadin-beagle.com, (5) leather from
barkingzebra.net, (6) blue agate from beadin-beagle.com, and (7)
stainless-steel mesh from hopepaige.com.
Ladies’ Home Journal considers the question “Should you wear a
medical ID?” The magazine notes that: “A bracelet can alert first responders to
lots of important information, including:
- Food, drug or insect allergies
- Hypertension, stroke risk or other cardiac
problems - Asthma
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Anemia
- Rare diseases
- Epilepsy or seizures
- Sickle-cell anemia
- Certain medicines such as blood thinners
- Surgery, transplant and cancer patients
The websites that provided the jewelry for
the LHJ article variously include,
among the conditions that merit wearing medical ID jewelry, the following
conditions, and more:
- ADD/ADHD
- Alzheimer’s
- Bariatric Surgery (Gastric Bypass or Lap Band)
- COPD
- Multiple Sclerosis
With so many conditions potentially meriting
the wearing of a medical ID, it is easy to understand that medical ID jewelry
is something that many individuals wear every day. Medical ID jewelry
essentially constitutes signature jewelry for those individuals.
While the bracelets shown
above are crafted of inexpensive materials and range in price from $20 to $70, a
medical ID bracelet can be rendered in more precious materials. A quick search
online reveals a number of sources of medical ID bracelets crafted in 14k
gold, sterling silver, or titanium.
The medical ID tags themselves—which contain a smooth surface on which the personalized medical information is
engraved—are available from various sources in 14k gold, sterling silver, or
stainless steel. A jeweler or a crafter can purchase a medical ID tag, plate or
charm engraved with the necessary medical information and incorporate it into a
jewelry design. A medical ID tag typically attaches at each end to the body of
a bracelet via lobster clasps. This allows for the wearer to swap out the
larger part of the bracelet, much like replacing the strap on a wristwatch.
Medical ID charms and
pendants, including dog tags, are also readily available for stringing on a
chain or cord or attaching to a piece of jewelry. A heart-shaped medical ID
charm can easily be added to a necklace, bracelet or wristwatch to allow the
wearer not only to keep essential information available, but also to add a
touch of personal style.
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